True Biblical leaders must lead by example. Paul gave Titus some very specific instructions regarding what kind of example leaders should be setting. He addressed alcohol, sexual conduct, reputation, anger, greed and many other things. Then he turns to a leader’s relationship with God’s Word.
Jesus commissioned His followers to “Make Disciples” in what we often refer to as “The Great Commission.” He prefaces this commission with the phrase “all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth, therefore go…” I’ve learned that the authority of Scripture is so rooted in and closely linked to the authority of Jesus Christ that the two are virtually indivisible. To attempt to distinguish them is like asking which blade of a pair of scissors is more important, or which leg of a pair of pants is more necessary. We know Christ through the Bible, and we understand the Bible through the knowledge of Christ and the Spirit he sent. Christ’s authority is given to us and we find that commission in the Bible.
The role of scripture in biblical leadership, disciple making, is indisputable. We can learn all about man’s social condition, his psychological makeup, his judicial systems, his educational disciplines, but the key to true leadership rests in a clear and comprehensive understanding of Scripture. Mortimer J. Adler, in “How to Read a Book,” has observed that the one time people read for all they are worth is when they are in love and are reading a love letter. They read every word three ways. They read between the lines and in the margins. They read the whole in terms of the parts, and each part in terms of the whole. They grow sensitive to context and ambiguity, to insinuation and implication. They perceive the color of words, the order of phrases, and the weight of sentences. They may even take the punctuation into account. Then, if never before or after, they read carefully and in depth.” Howard Henricks, a Professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, made us read that book and said that if you desire to be a leader of God’s people, you must Love God’s word and read it like a true lover. It’s God’s love letter to us. It is an absolute prerequisite to leadership and disciple making.
Chuck
“I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.” Job 23:12